It's New York, so it's expensive. Expect roughly $1,600 to $2,500 a month for a room in a shared apartment, and much more for a studio in Manhattan. Brooklyn and Queens usually give you more space for the money.

No published rule requires it. New students who want a room pay a $400 placement fee, and rooms go first-come, first-served based on availability, so apply early.

First-years mostly live in SVA's residence halls. After that, a lot of students rent in the East Village, Lower East Side, or Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods with an easy subway ride to 23rd Street.

No. Parking in Manhattan is scarce and pricey, and the subway, buses and bikes get you everywhere. Almost nobody at SVA drives to class.

About two to three months before your move date. NYC listings don't go up much earlier than that, and summer is the most competitive time.

Most are 12 months and can start any month. Since the FARE Act took effect in June 2025, landlords pay the broker fee when they hired the broker, and state law caps deposits at one month's rent.

Gramercy and Murray Hill are busy, well-lit residential areas. Like anywhere in the city, stay aware at night, check a building's entry security, and walk the block at different times before you sign.

Heat and hot water are often included in older buildings, but electricity and internet usually aren't. Ask the landlord what's covered and what past bills looked like.

Yes. Rooms in shared apartments and summer sublets are common in NYC, and classmates are a good source. Always see the place in person or on live video and never wire money before you have a signed lease.

SVA has no traditional campus, so you're living in the real city from day one. Housing isn't guaranteed for everyone, so many students jump into the NYC rental market earlier than they would at other schools.